Getting to Know Duopa’ to be presented at Parkinson Symposium

September 29, 2016

SARAH KRUGER, MS, RD

KINGSFORD - The Parkinson Society of Dickinson County Area, a support group for Parkinson Disease patients, caregivers, family and friends, will host a Parkinson Disease Symposium "Living With Parkinson's Disease" on Oct. 13, at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford.

The symposium will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a free lunch break at noon. 

Presenting at this program will be Sara Kruger, MS, RD, of Royal Oak, Mich., who will be speaking on "Getting to Know Duopa."Duopa is an carbidopa/levodopa enteral suspension. Duopa is a prescription medicine used for treatment of motor fluctuations in advanced Parkinson's Disease. Duopa is not a pill. It's a gel form, called a suspension, of carbidopa and levodopa. Duopa is delivered continuously by a pump into your intestines for up to 16 hours per day.

Kruger received her bachelor of science degree in dietetics from Michigan State University and her master of science in nutrition from Case Western Reserve. She specialized in renal care for many years and over the past couple of years has worked in Parkinson's Disease. She is employed by AbbVie, the makers of Duopa.

The keynote speaker of Jo Bidwell of Lubbock,Texas, giving her morning talk on "Understanding Parkinson's Disease." Then, doing a working lunch, she will have a question and answer time, as well as presenting "What's New and Coming in the Future for PD Patients." Her afternoon presentation will be

Dr. Patti Peterson, local neurologist, will also be speaking on "Problems that PD patients have that are not motor, and the differential of diagnosis." 

Invitations have been extended to PD patients throughout the Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin through their local support groups in Calumet, Negaunee and Marquette County, Escanaba, Ironwood, Newberry, and including Dickinson County area. It is not necessary to belong to a support group to attend. Any Parkinson Disease patient may attend if interested.

Displays and personnel from health related agencies will be available to provide information and materials of interest to attendees.

A light continental breakfast will be available upon arrival, and a more substantial lunch will be provided free of charge at noon, thanks to our sponsors.

Registration is a must, however, and that can be done by calling to make your reservation to Claire Kennedy at 906-295-0898 or Pauline Hill at 906-774-0332. Persons can also mail reservations to Claire Kennedy, P.O.Box 126, Hermansville, MI 49847. Reservations must be received by Oct. 6.

Walk-ins may be accommodated, depending on space and amount of food.

Understanding that the day may be long and tiring for some, a quiet room will be available for those who may need a little break for rest time during the day. 

Questions can be directed to Hill at 774-0332.

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